Bacterial Infections ; microbiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged ; beta-Lactamases ; isolation & purification

Objective To evaluate the effect of a novel orthopedic biomaterial,graded composite zireonia(ZrO2)hydroxyapatite(HAP)on activity of rat osteoblast ceils(OB)cultured in vitro. Methods The pure zirconia material was used as control to measure surface roughness of the composite material that was examined by using scanning electron microscope(SEM)and X-ray diffraetometer (XRD).The rat osteoblast cells were cultured on the two materials.Alkali phosphatase(ALP)of the two groups was measured and ELISA was used to detect IL-6 and TGF-?eoncentration of the supematant of OB cells.Tumor growth factor-?(TGF-?)mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.SEM was used to observe OB cells on the two materials.The extract of the composite material was used for a eytotoxicity test to cal- culate the relative proliferation rate(RGR)and classify the toxicity.Results The surface roughness of the gradual composite materials was significantly higher than that of the control materials(P＜0.01). The ALP of the gradual material group was markedly higher than that of the control group at different in- tervals.There was significant difference of the IL-6 and TGF-?concentrations 2-4 days after culture be- tween two groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The mRNA level of TGF-?of the two OB groups also showed marked statistical difference(P＜0.01).The ossification of the OB cells on the composed material was marked after 14 days.The MTT color experiments showed no statistic significance between materials group and negative group,with the toxicity at levelⅠand 0(P＜0.05).Conclusion Graded composite ZrO2 HAP can significantly promote proliferation and differentiation of OB cells cultured in vitro and has good biocompatibility.

OBJECTIVEThe finding of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in many solid tumors indicates that tumor cells themselves could participate in the construction of tumor vessels. However the origin of these cells is still not fully elucidated, and whether these vessels have the ability of blood-supply is still unclear. Preliminary studies were performed to investigate whether part of tumor neovascularity is derived from tumor stem cells (TSCs) and whether TSCs-derived vessels are functional.

METHODSTransplanted glioma tissues obtained from subcutaneous and orthotopic transplantation nude mouse models were processed into paraffin sections. In order to identify the cell origin and types of tumor vessels, sections were stained with CD31, CD34, CD133, GFAP, Ki67 and HLA, respectively. CD34-PAS staining was performed as well. A part of tumor-bearing mice were perfused with activated carbon through the systemic circulation and the distribution of activated carbon was observed.

RESULTSCD34-PAS staining showed that endothelium-dependent vessels (CD34(+), PAS(+)), VM vessels (CD34(-), PAS(+)), and the MVs (CD34(+), PAS(-)) could be seen in the transplantated tumors. Activated carbon particles were observed in all three types of vessels. CD31(+) cells adherent to the luminal surface of vessel wall. CD34(+) cells distributed along the vessels as well, but morphologically were more like a transition type between tumor cells and endothelial cells. Human specific Ki67 and HLA positive cells could be seen in the tumor vessels indicating that these vessels were derived from human tumor cells. Moreover, cells of tumor vessels were proved to be constructed by human tumor cells mainly and fusion cells of host cells and tumor cells under confocal microscope.

CONCLUSIONSThree types of blood supply sources including endothelium-dependent vessels, vasculogenic mimicry (VMs) and mosaic vessels (MVs) exist in transplantation tumors of human glioma. Glioma stem and progenitor cells (GSCPs) have the potential to differentiate and transdifferentiate into VMs and MVs.

AC133 Antigen ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Brain ; blood supply ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carbon ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Glioma ; blood supply ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; HLA Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Microcirculation ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the origin of tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells in intraeranial brain tumor stem cell (BTSC) xenografls and elucidate the role of BTSCs in brain tumor tissue remodeling. Methods BTSC spheres were injected into the right candate nucleus of nude mice, and the mice were sacrificed after the occurrence ofcachexia to obtain the tumor tissue. Routine paraffin embedding, slicing, HE staining and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) staining of the tumor tissues were performed for observation of the tumor tissues under optical microscope. Results HE staining displayed dissemination growth of the tumor cells in the host brain tissue. HLA staining revealed the presence of blood vessels constituted directly by the tumor cells. Conclusion In the intracranial xenografts of BTSCs, the tumor cells are extensively distributed and constitute the blood vessels. The BTSCs play an important role in glioma tissue remodeling by differentiating into vascular endothelial cells in the tumors.

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of fascioliasis in yaks, Bos grunniens, from 3 counties of Gansu Province in China. A total of 1,584 serum samples, including 974 samples from white yaks from Tianzhu, 464 from black yaks from Maqu, and 146 from black yaks from Luqu County, were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against Fasciola hepatica. The overall F. hepatica seroprevalence was 28.7% (454/1,584), with 29.2% in white yaks (284/974) and 27.9% in black yaks (170/610). The seroprevalence of F. hepatica in yaks from Tianzhu, Luqu, and Maqu was 29.2%, 22.6%, and 29.5%, respectively. Female yaks (30.9%) had higher F. hepatica seroprevalence than male yaks (23.4%). Also, F. hepatica seroprevalence varied by different age group from 24.1% to 33.8%. Further, the seroprevalence ranged from 21.8% to 39.1% over different seasons. Interestingly, the season and age of yaks were associated with F. hepatica infection in yaks in the investigated areas. These findings provided a basis for further studies on this disease in yaks from 3 counties of Gansu Province in northwestern China, which may ultimately support the development of effective control strategies of fascioliasis in these areas.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Cattle* ; China* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fasciola hepatica ; Fascioliasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Ranunculaceae ; Risk Factors* ; Seasons ; Seroepidemiologic Studies*

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characters and risk factors of renal calculi in Shenzhen for future intervention.

METHODSRisk factors of renal calculi were analyzed by factor analysis and linear structural relation model, followed by fitting and evaluating the model.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of renal calculi were 8.00% and 5.12% in males and females. The results of LISEREL showed that the total effect of age and sex affecting the development of renal calculi was 0.4614, with directly effect 0.3600 and indirect 0.1014. The direct effects of blood uric acid, blood calcium and body mass index, blood cholesterol, blood sugar were 0.3400 and 0.3200 respectively. The indirect effect of education, exercise and dietary habit affected the development of renal calculi through index of biochemistry and obesity, were -0.0416 and 0.1882.

CONCLUSIONSex, age, obesity and high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar, high blood uric acid, high blood calcium were the direct influencing factors to renal calculi. At the same time, education, exercise and dietary habit were also associated with the disease.

Age Factors ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Body Constitution ; physiology ; Calcium ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Exercise ; physiology ; Feeding Behavior ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; epidemiology ; Linear Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVEThis study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of labial surface contours and collum angles of the maxillary anterior teeth on torque.

METHODS206 extracted maxillary teeth were selected, including 77 central incisors, 68 lateral incisors and 61 canines. All specimens were scanned by cone beam dental computed tomography (CT). Three-dimensional reconstructed images were made by using the CT software. The median sagittal planes of all teeth were selected and then analyzed by the Auto CAD software. For each tooth, the angles between tangent lines to the labial surface at four different heights along the surface and the longitudinal axis of the crown were measured. The collum angle was also measured.

RESULTSBetween 3.5 mm and 5.0 mm level of bracket heights, for the variation of 0.5 mm, the torque differed by 1.5 degrees for the maxillary central incisors and 2 degrees for the maxillary lateral incisors and canines. The mean collum angle values for the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors and canines were 0.88 degree, 3.87 degrees and -3.30 degrees.

CONCLUSIONThe biological variation in tooth morphology would influence the torque after orthodontic treatment in different ways.

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Cuspid ; Humans ; Incisor ; Maxilla ; Odontometry ; Tooth Crown ; Torque

Hepatitis ; immunology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; immunology ; Receptors, Complement ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of gut-enriched Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4) in gastric cancer, and its association with prognosis.

METHODSSurgical specimens were collected from 264 patients undergoing radical surgery between 2004 and 2009 in the Affiliated Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University. KLF4 mRNA level of specimens was detected by real-time PCR. KLF4 protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray, which contained primary gastric cancer, corresponding para-cancerous tissue, and paired lymph node metastases.

RESULTSReal-time PCR revealed that mRNA level of KLF4 was down-regulated in gastric cancer compared with paired normal gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray showed gastric cancer tissues had significantly lower KLF4 levels compared with paired normal gastric tissues. By univariate and multivariate analysis, KLF4 was a significant predictor of survival and recurrence.

CONCLUSIONKLF4 expression is significantly down-regulated in gastric cancer, and is an independent predictor of survival and recurrence.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on injured hepatocytes mediated by paracrine mechanisms and to investigate the potential molecular mechanism of this action.

METHODSA contact-independent model of aberrant hepatic microenvironment was established by co-culturing BM-MSCs with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-injured human L02 hepatic cells using a transwell assay platform. Secreted levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the co-culture supernatant. Expression of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) was assessed by Western blot. The effect of exogenous IGF-1 on proliferation of D-GalN-injured L02 cells was examined by MTT assay.

RESULTSUpon co-culture, BM-MSCs promoted proliferation of D-GalN-injured L02 cells in a contact-independent manner (absorbance values of at 24 h: 0.36+/-0.08, 48 h: 0.52+/-0.06, and 96 h: 0.68+/-0.06; vs. uninjured cells t = 2.493, 3.116, and 2.285, respectively; all P less than 0.05). Robust expression of IGF-1 was identified in the supernatants of co-cultures and was demonstrated to have been secreted mainly from BM-MSCs under the influence of D-GalN-injured L02 cells. Constitutive expression of IGF-1R was found in the D-GalN-injured L02 cells and blocking of IGF-1R by a neutralizing antibody significantly inhibited the paracrine pro-proliferative effect of co-cultured BM-MSCs at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h (t = 2.909, 2.328, and 2.560, respectively; all P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBM-MSC-derived IGF-1 plays an important role in the paracrine pro-proliferative effect on D-GalN-injured L02 hepatocytes by engaging with the constitutively expressed IGF-1R on L02 cells.

Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; metabolism ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism